"Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty"

Young style hounds take inspiration from the bizarre works of Alexander McQueen.

It's a Jungle Out There, Fall 1997"This particular [collection] was based on predator and prey, but in the urban jungle," explains Bolton. The structured pony-skin blazer is inspired in part by a Thomson's gazelle---a critter children might recognize from the Bronx Zoo---and accented with real impala horns.

Photograph: Slve Sundsb/Art + Commerce

VOSS, Spring 2001According to Bolton, this bird's-eye garment and matching headdress "merge both Japanese and Chinese traditions." Kids should look at the piece from multiple angles; the fabric takes on gray or pink tones depending on how it's viewed.

Photograph: Slve Sundsb/Art + Commerce

The Horn of Plenty, Autumn/winter 2010McQueen's fascination with history re-emerges in this extreme frock. The deep-black--dyed duck feathers of the hooded dress evoke a raven, which Bolton notes was "the Romantic symbol of death in the Victorian Gothic era." Meanwhile, the silhouette---defined shoulders, padded hips and a nipped-in waist---reflects Christian Dior's classic shape from the 1950s, but with the highly exaggerated features that became McQueen's trademark. It's no cuddly Big Bird, but captivating nonetheless.

Photograph: Slve Sundsb/Art + Commerce

Sarabande, Spring 2007Little ones appreciate flowers for their vibrant hues, but McQueen had a different reason: "He loved flowers because they died, and I think that's very reflective of [his] romanticism," says Bolton. For this regal gown, he combined silk peonies and roses with real chrysanthemums, knowing that they would deteriorate and fall. Curators will add fresh blossoms throughout the exhibition.

Photograph: Slve Sundsb/Art + Commerce

Plato's Atlantis, Spring 2010In McQueen's last full collection, he envisioned mankind's devolution as a return to the ocean. The grand finale will strike a special chord with Little Mermaid aficionados: The multihued Jellyfish Ensemble pairs a supernatural-looking dress with matching leggings and lobster claw--like stilettos, all of which are covered in iridescent enamel paillettes.

It's a Jungle Out There, Fall 1997"This particular [collection] was based on predator and prey, but in the urban jungle," explains Bolton. The structured pony-skin blazer is inspired in part by a Thomson's gazelle---a critter children might recognize from the Bronx Zoo---and accented with real impala horns.

"Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," debuting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, culls nearly 100 garments from the late British designer's trailblazing career. The exaggerated and indulgent styles will have mini fashionista imaginations running wild. Curator Andrew Bolton explains what was going on in McQueen's own genius noggin as he created these showstoppers. Click through the slide show above to learn about some of our favorite frocks.